became boisterous in
detailing their victories. The worst of the whole, old Deschamps, a
French-Canadian, who murdered the disabled even when they cried for
quarter, drew forth as he detailed his valorous actions to Alexander
Macdonell, the exclamation, "What a fine, vigorous old man he is!" On
the evening of this Red-letter day of the visit to the Indian encampment
and to Seven Oaks, a wild and heathenish orgy took place. The
Bois-brules bedecked their naked bodies with Indian trinkets and
executed the dance of victory, as had done their savage ancestors. The
effect of these dances is marvellous. By a contagious shout they excite
each other. They reach a frenzy which communicates itself with hypnotic
effect to the whole dancing circle. At times men tear their hair, cut
their flesh or even mutilate their limbs for life. The "tom-tom," or
Indian drum, adds to the power of monotonous rhythm and to the spirit of
excitement and frenzy.

To the partners McLeod and the others, however much in earnest the
actors might be, it afforded much amusement, and gave hope of a strength
and enthusiasm that would bind them fast to the "Nor'-Wester" side.

The struggle over and the battle won, while leaving the garrison
sufficient to hold the fort, ten days after the fight the partners and
those forming the Northern brigade, who were to penetrate to the wilds
to Athabasca, departed. They were following down the Red River and Lake
Winnipeg, in the very path which the fleeing Colonists had gone, but
they would turn toward the "Grand Rapids" at the spot where the great
river of the West pours into Lake Winnipeg, and by this way speed
themselves to the great hunting fields of the North. The departure of
what was called the Grand Brigade was signalized by an artillery salute
from Fort Douglas, which resounded through the wretched ruins of the
houses burnt the previous year, and over the fields deserted by the
Colonists and left to the chattering blackbird and the howling wolf.
Almost every race of people--however small--has its bard. Among the
Bois-brules was the son of old Pierre Falcon, a French-Canadian, of some
influence among the natives. This young poet was a character. He had the
French vivacity, the prejudice of race, the devotion to the Scotch Fur
Company and a considerable rhyming talent. Many years after Pierre
Falcon won the admiration of the buffalo hunter and was the friend of
all the dusky maidens who followed his song of love